Pray for Us

Here We Talk to Hashem

Mordechai Ben David has never davened before the amud professionally, but he does daven in his own shul, Beis Tefilla L’Dovid, named after his father, Reb Dovid Werdyger. MBD infuses the traditional nusach with classic niggunim to create a perfect blended mix. Those who are privileged to daven there have told me that his davening, along with harmonies by his son Yeedle and neighbor Yossi Green, can penetrate the hard shell that often surrounds us just when we need to connect most. The minyan is also known for its strict “no talking” policy: From the moment you enter until the moment you leave, you’re only allowed to talk to the Ribbono shel Olam. MBD — Minyan B’li Dibbur.

Davening with Dylan

Benny Friedman recently told me that many years ago, he would daven on Yom Kippur with a Chabad minyan in California. One time, after Ne’ilah, someone came over to him and said, “Do you know who came over to hear you daven?” Who was that mystery guest? None other than Bob Dylan. He must have enjoyed it because he returned for the following three years.

Singing for the Tzaddik

Avraham Fried told me he’s never davened before the amud on Yamim Noraim — no matter how much money he’s been offered, he’s always refused. On the other hand, he did tell me that his grandfather was the baal tefillah for the holy Bluzhever Rebbe, Rav Tzvi Elimelech Spira, known as the Tzvi Latzaddik.

Ten More Minutes

When Yehudah Green first started davening on Rosh Hashanah, it was in a shul in Canada. Before Mussaf, the gabbai came over to him and said, “No matter what happens, you must be done by 1:00 p.m.” Yehudah ended up finishing at 1:20. The next day of Yom Tov, as he was preparing to daven Mussaf, the gabbai approached him. Yehudah immediately said, “I know, I know, 1:00 p.m.!” The gabbai looked at him and said, “No. The shul enjoyed it so much, you have until 1:30 today.”